Ottoman Origins

Origins of Ottoman Empire and the Government

• Ottoman empire expanded by: Sultan Suleyman (1520-1566)
  • Called “lawmaker” or “The Magnificent”
  • Empire reached greatest expansion
• Central function of sultan: guarantee justice in the land
  • Protecting lowest members of society
    • Taxation
    • Corrupt magistracy
    • Inequitable courts
• Sultan’s job (enjoyed absolute power)
  • keep watch on officials
  • root out corruption (illegal taxation or forced labor
    • public agents and officials that abused power were subject to siyasa
      • set of severe punishments imposed by Sultan on corrupt officials
• Military conquests
  • Guarantee safe passage of Muslims to Mecca
  • Rooting out of heterodox or heretical Islamic practices and beliefs

*all information by: Richard Hooker

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